17th Birthday Ideas

My 17th is on Christmas day and I'm 7 hours away from home with no friends close by and only my immediate family. The closest friends and extended family are an hour or 2 away and I have no idea what I want to do. I'm in a big city, but most things are expensive here. I think I want to go around to op shops and antique and craft shops, but I don't have anyone to go with. I have no idea what else to do, any suggestions?

Will you be getting together with family and friends for Christmas? If so, can do a birthday + Christmas party?

Many will be busy for Christmas with their family though. Do you have a best friend that you can spend time with, the two of you? Maybe a nice movie out and dinner? You can sign up for free birthday meals from restaurants in advance (now) and then by your birthday you'll get a free birthday meal on the house! :)

Are you going to be on a college campus or at a school? Perhaps they will have a holiday celebration you can join and take a birthday cake to celebrate your day! You can make new friends!!!

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OR,

I like the idea of taking your friend with you via Facetime and Skype and go to different places that will be open on Christmas. Set yourself up a schedule before the big day so you can plan your stops and call the friend who would love what you are doing the most...

Meaning...say you have a friend who you love to shop with and there is a Christmas market open that morning...you two could walk around the shop and chat.

Life is so different with these two features that you are truly never alone...you can call multiple people so they can celebrate with you and then go back to their holiday plans.

You can treat yourself to a special meal and birthday cake. Enjoy and be blessed!!

one idea is to volunteer at a food bank or whatnot, that can bring a sense of togetherness

another is to go to an open mic at a local cafe, usually no cost, or karaoke at a bar (then you can tell them 'it's my birthday' and maybe you score a free drink)

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you can look in your city's alternate art weekly newspaper and see where there are students or amateurs doing musical concerts or plays and attend that. Usually free or only $5 or $15. You could go to a new spiritual/new age/religious meetup.

you are lucky in that you are in a big city and there are many options

Christmas birthdays are tough. Most of my friends with December birthdays would plan parties after the holidays to ensure more people could attend. But that doesn't help you celebrate on December 25th.

I don't know what big city you are in so I can't give you specific suggestions but there are usually many free activities, especially around the holidays. Google "Free activities" and your city's name and see what pops up. It sounds like you are unfamiliar with the area but the people you are visiting may have suggestions as well. There may be a Christmas or farmers market which often also have free public concerts. I love to go to museums, which are usually affordable or even free. If the ticket price is too steep, you can always get a flavor of the attraction by going into the gift shop.

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However, if you want to celebrate right on Christmas Day, many things will be closed for the holiday.

One thing that my family would do often on Christmas evening was to go see a movie together. It was a fun outing after the excitement of the day and a chance to unwind from all the visiting. Perhaps you and your immediate family could plan an outing that evening for dinner and a movie. You could find a historic theater or maybe choose one that has dining service as well, to make it a fun and different experience. Take a taxi and have the driver go through some decorated neighborhoods on the way home. A simple birthday but I expect your family will rise to the occasion and make it memorable.

Good luck and try to enjoy this time with your immediate family. Happy upcoming birthday!